Iran Holds 3-Day Funeral for Khamenei After Airstrikes Kill Leader of 36 Years
Updated
Updated · The Guardian · Jul 8
Iran Holds 3-Day Funeral for Khamenei After Airstrikes Kill Leader of 36 Years
3 articles · Updated · The Guardian · Jul 8
Summary
More than 50,000 mourners packed a Tehran mosque and surrounding areas as Iran began a multi-day funeral for former supreme leader Ali Khamenei.
Khamenei, who ruled for 36 years, was killed on the first day of February airstrikes during Iran’s war with the US and Israel.
The ceremonies are being cast by Tehran as a display of defiance and resilience after a conflict that initially appeared to pose an existential threat.
Robert Malley, the former US envoy for Iran, said the ceasefire now being negotiated appears to be tilting in Tehran’s favor despite that early shock.
After killing Iran's leader, why did the US agree to a deal that seems to favor Tehran?
With its leader dead and heir apparent missing, who is truly in command of Iran's future?
A US-Iran ceasefire is signed, but tanker attacks continue. Is another, bigger war inevitable?
The Assassination of Ayatollah Khamenei: Iran’s 2026 Succession Crisis and Geopolitical Shockwaves
Overview
In late 2025, Iran faced a severe economic crisis that triggered widespread anti-government protests, pushing even cautious social groups into open revolt. As unrest intensified into January 2026, demonstrations were met with extreme violence, resulting in hundreds of unclaimed bodies overwhelming morgues in Tehran. This brutal crackdown exposed deep instability within the regime. Amid this turmoil, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was assassinated in a joint Israeli-U.S. airstrike, plunging Iran into national mourning and a tense leadership transition. The aftermath saw massive public funerals, heightened regional tensions, and uncertainty over Iran’s future direction.